Tesla plans to make its robotaxi service available to the general public in Austin, Texas, next month, expanding access beyond the small group of early users who have been participating in the pilot since June.
The timeline was confirmed by Chief Executive Elon Musk in a brief social media post, in which he said the service “will be open access next month,” without offering further details.
Tesla’s Austin program uses its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to transport passengers without a human driver at the wheel, though a safety operator currently rides in the front passenger seat. The company runs a similar ride-hailing operation in California’s Bay Area, but state regulations there prevent it from operating without a driver deployment permit.
The wider rollout in Austin is expected to coincide with the release of FSD version 14, which Musk has said will arrive in roughly six weeks and deliver significant performance and safety upgrades. The public expansion will allow Tesla to gather more real-world driving data, refine its algorithms and accelerate development of its autonomous systems.
Tesla’s Austin robotaxi fleet currently consists of 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles. The company is expected to add more vehicles once public access begins to meet increased demand.
If the launch proves successful, Tesla could move quickly to expand the service to other U.S. cities, subject to regulatory approval. Recent job postings suggest the automaker is preparing for a broader national rollout before the end of 2025.
